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62 changes: 62 additions & 0 deletions content/blog/entries/2026-05-06-sunsetting-api/contents.lr
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title: Sunsetting api.creativecommons.org
---
categories:
announcements
cc-legal-tools
---
author: TimidRobot
---
pub_date: 2026-05-06
---
body:


Creative Commons (CC) will terminate the api.crativecommons.org service on 2026
Nov 02. Please note, however, that hosting or software failure may render the
service unavailable before that date.


## Removal Rationale

- The API depends on the legacy ccEngine, which was replaced by the current CC
Legal Tools on 2023-09-27. It is no longer maintainable.
- The infrastructure hosting the API is no longer supported.
- The data provided changes infrequently enough that an API is a suboptimal
solution.


## Next Steps

- Evaluate existing flat files to replace API:
- [creativecommons.org/rdf/index.rdf][index-rdf]
- This ccREL file has existed for a long time, but has never been very
visible. Its accuracy was significantly improved with the new CC Legal
Tools App static site generation starting in 2023 September.
- creativecommons/cc-legal-tools-data: [config/cc-legal-tools.csv][cc-legal-tools-csv]
- This file is new this year. Its generation in the CC Legal Tools App can
be modified or a new file can be generated if additional data is needed, a
different file format is needed, etc.
- If you are using DSpace, see: [Replace api.creativecommons.org
DSpace/DSpace#11808][dspace1808].
- Please use the following form to share concerns or request ongoing
communication: [Sunsetting api.creativecommons.org feedback][feedback].

[index-rdf]: https://creativecommons.org/rdf/index.rdf
[cc-legal-tools-csv]: https://github.com/creativecommons/cc-legal-tools-data/blob/main/config/cc-legal-tools.csv
[dspace1808]: https://github.com/DSpace/DSpace/issues/11808
[feedback]: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScZn1Jo3Ktfb5o2Sf08hMb3yWD9WArpQtQGvQaoP19un-UOQw/viewform?usp=dialog


## Related blog posts

- `2024-05-28`: [New CreativeCommons.org launched 2023 September][blog-launched]
- `2011-08-31`: [Summary of current licensing tools][blog-summary]
- `2011-01-13`: [CC REST API Updated for Public Domain Mark][blog-rest]
- `2009-04-02`: [Enumeration descriptions in CC Web Services][blog-enum]
- `2008-07-24`: [cc.license in alpha][blog-alpha]

[blog-launched]: https://opensource.creativecommons.org/blog/entries/2024-05-28-creativecommons-org/
[blog-summary]: https://opensource.creativecommons.org/archives/old-tech-blog/entries/summary-of-current-licensing-tools/
[blog-rest]: https://opensource.creativecommons.org/archives/old-tech-blog/entries/cc-rest-api-updated-for-public-domain-mark/
[blog-enum]: https://opensource.creativecommons.org/archives/old-tech-blog/entries/enumeration-descriptions-in-cc-web-services/
[blog-alpha]: https://opensource.creativecommons.org/archives/old-tech-blog/entries/cclicense-in-alpha/
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